Electronically traceable golf club incorporating a programmable transponder

ABSTRACT

A golf club is provided with a transponder that will transmit a coded signal when polled. The transmitter is small enough to fit into the golf club and does not need an external power supply. A data base associated with the coded signal is a depository of information related to the golf club.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/118,527,filed on Apr. 5, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,004,848, which is acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/332,466 filed Jun. 14,1999, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an anti-theft and tracking device, and morespecifically to a device that can be used to locate stolen golf clubs,firearms, or other portable personal possessions.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Theft of costly portable possessions, such as new high-tech golf clubswith titanium heads and graphite shafts, is increasing at an alarmingrate. For example, the theft of titanium golf clubs from golf equipmentshops is so frequent that titanium golf clubs are locked upindependently of the other equipment in the store. To substantiate thisfact are the numerous news stories depicting golf shop burglaries inwhich only the titanium or other exotic golf clubs have been stolen.

Many golf club manufacturers register golf clubs at the factory, andtrack the golf clubs by manual systems that are proprietary to themanufacturer. Typically this method requires the eventual owner of theclubs to fill out and send in a registration form and/or questionnaire.Because this manual tracking method is usually entirely dependent on thegolf club owner, it is not always reliable.

Handguns present a similar tracking problem. Even though gun stores aretraditionally more secure than golf shops, theft from guns stores isstill a common occurrence. Probably even more common is the theft offirearms during house burglaries. All modern guns are stamped with aunique serial number by the manufacturer. For any gun sold at a gunshop, the serial number of the gun and name of the purchaser must berecorded in a database. However, when a gun is stolen, the serial numberof the stolen handgun can be modified or ground off the gun. Once thisoccurs, future identification of the gun is almost impossible.

The art known to the inventor of this device is unsophisticated. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 1,914,781 to Mattern, Jr. et al., U.S. Pat. No.1,942,122 to Reach, and U.S. Pat. No. 1,830,936 to Faith all teach usingan end-cap or similar device attached to the grip end of the golf clubfor identification, ornamentation, or protection. None of theseinventions uses hidden instrumentality or electronic transmitters foridentification or tracking purposes. This type of system does notprovide a means for tracking the object after purchase.

However, there are many products that are protected by electronicsecurity systems. For instance, it is well known to provide securitysystems in commercial environments, such as retail establishments,libraries, and motor vehicles. For example, in retail establishments,retail items that are easily stolen are often times “tagged” with amagnetic element. If someone tries to remove the “tagged” item from thepremise an alarm will sound. The only way to prevent the alarm fromsounding is to remove or demagnetize the tag at the check-out station.

As mentioned above, often times manufacturers stamp or etch serialnumbers on products such as golf clubs, guns, computers, stereos,personal water craft, boats and other valuable products that can beeasily stolen. To circumvent someone from grinding off the serialnumber, such an identifying mark is often placed in a location that ishidden from casual observation. This is common practice on automobilecomponents to serve as a deterrent in the trafficking of stolen carparts. However, it is still possible for someone to find and alter orremove the manufacturer's serial number, thus making ownership of thecomponent hard to determine and almost impossible to track.

None of the prior art that the inventor is aware of provides for amethod that not only helps determine ownership of a product, but alsoprovides for the capability of determining when and where a product wasused. A product of this type could be very beneficial in products suchas golf clubs, handguns, airbags, personal watercraft, boats, computersand camcorders. It would therefore be possible for the owner ormanufacturer to know when or where the product was used.

Therefore, a need exists for an anti-theft device to either locatestolen possessions or track portable possessions, such as golf clubs,handguns airbags, personal watercraft, boats computers and camcorders.The device of the invention would also be able to provide and record ina database useful information about the portable possessions, such asthe name of the owner, date of purchase, where they have been, or otherinformation deemed appropriate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is the implantation of a transmitter or transponder in anobject such as a golf club. The transponder is encoded with a codespecific identification mark such as a multi-digit code that is recordedin a database such that the database can be accessed to determine theownership and other information. The code is initially entered at themanufacturing location and then, when the object is sold, theinformation regarding the buyer will be encoded into thetransmitter/transponder.

The invention uses a very small transponder that can be programmed withvarious information after the transponder is affixed in or to the objectto be protected. The transponder may be an elongated cylindricalelement. An alternative design is a thin, flat element that can beadhesively affixed in place.

A second component of the invention is a programming station that isused to reprogram the information in the transponder so that theinformation, after being initially entered, can be subsequently updatedas necessary. The programming station will include hardware that can beused to not only reprogram the transponder but also can be therepository of data base information. The data base information can beaccessed remotely and can be updated as appropriate.

The overall object of this invention is to provide a registration systemthat can be incorporated in a transportable object that will identifythat object for purposes of data base comparisons. The data basecomparison can be used for tracking the object. The tracking is usablefor numerous purposes including notification in the event of a theft ofthe device. It is also useful for determining the location where theobject was used and compiling data as to the pattern of use of thedevice or object. A further use is to track the whereabouts of theobject as it progresses past various checkpoints. For instance, in theexample where the object is a golf club, the use of the golf club ateach tee on a golf course would be helpful in tracking the location andspeed at which a golfer is progressing from tee to tee along the course.Using this method allows the golf course personnel the ability to trackthe flow of the golf course without leaving the clubhouse.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a programmabletransponder that may be inserted into an object at the point ofmanufacture or, at the time of retrofitting the object. A related objectis to provide a device that can be used to register the presence of theobject user in a certain location, such as at the bag drop of a golfcourse, or on the premises of a gun club.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a transponded signalreader at various locations where it is expected that the object taggedwith the transponder will pass. For instance, it is expected that golfclubs will pass through the bag drop station of a golf course, the clubswill pass proximate the tee boxes on the course, and the clubs may passthrough a cleaning station where golf clubs can be cleaned after around. Such a transponder signal reader may also be used in numerousother locations such as at a selling dealer, golf pro shop or golf clubrepair shop.

Another advantage of this invention is that it can be used to help inthe collection of a database that will be useful in building ademographic model of the frequented locations for the object. Suchinformation is useful not only in tracking the club for anti-theftconsideration but also in developing a marketing pattern that isspecific to that tagged object and with other tagged objects of similargenre.

The preferred embodiments of the invention presented here are describedbelow in the Figures and Detailed Description. Unless specificallynoted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specificationand the claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meaning to those ofordinary skill in the applicable arts. If any other special meaning isintended for any word or phrase, the specification will clearly stateand define the special meaning.

Likewise, the use of the words “function” or “means” in the DetailedDescription is not intended to indicate a desire to invoke the specialprovisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6, to define the invention. Tothe contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6 are soughtto be invoked to define the inventions, the claims will specificallystate the phrases “means for” or “step for” and a function, without alsoreciting in such phrases any structure, material or act in support ofthe function. Even when the claims recite a “means for” or “step for”performing a function, if they also recite any structure, material oracts in support of that means or step, then the intention is not toinvoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6. Moreover, even ifthe provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6 are invoked to define theinventions, it is intended that the inventions not be limited only tothe specific structure, material or acts that are described in thepreferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures,materials or acts that perform the claimed function, along with any andall known or later-developed equivalent structures, material or acts forperforming the claimed function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way ofexample with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although severalembodiments of the invention are shown and described, like referencenumbers identify like parts in each of the figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a representation of a set of golf clubs showing the club headswith a transponder element partially revealed from under a partiallyremoved overlay;

FIG. 2 is a representation of a golf club showing a truncated shaft anda portion of the shaft removed to reveal a transponder;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a transponder removed from a pliable tubenormally used to support the transponder;

FIG. 4 is a representation of the equipment that can be used to“program” the transponder of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is representation of a transponder signal reader adjacent orproximate a set of golf clubs;

FIG. 6 is a representation of a transponder, shown in dotted line view,in a handgun;

FIG. 7 is a chart showing sensing stations, a CPU and a data file;

FIG. 8 is a chart showing a first and second programming stations eachin communication with a CPU.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention herein can be easily envisioned by reviewing the drawingsstarting with FIG. 1. In this figure a set of three golf clubs is shown.A first club 10 includes a shaft 12 that is inserted into the hossel 14of the head 16 of the golf club 10. The golf club shown is a cavity backclub having a recessed area 20 surrounded by a perimeter 22. Inside therecessed area is an onlay 24 of epoxy, plastic or other non-metallicsubstance. The onlay 24 is only a portion of a complete onlay that inthis illustrated example would be an oval shaped element of which onlyabout a half is shown. Located between the onlay 24 and the surface ofthe cavity 20 of the club head 16 is a transponder 26.

The transponder 26 is a small light weight element that in the preferredembodiment of the invention is about 1 mm thick, 10 mm long and 3 mmwide. It has a truncated corner at one end. It will be referred to as a“wedge” transponder hereinafter.

The golf clubs 10 of FIG. 1 can also include a removable section 30 inthe sole portion 31 of the club. In an alternative embodiment the wedgecan be inserted below and underneath the removable section 30 of thegolf club.

FIG. 2 is a golf club 10 as shown in FIG. 1. In this figure more of theshaft 12 is shown. The shaft is terminated in a grip section 32 shownpartially in this figure. Just below the grip section of the club theshaft has been partially broken away to reveal the placement of atransponder 36. This may be termed a “capsule” transponder. In thisembodiment the transponder is encased in a tight fitting tubularstructure 40 of pliable material. The pliable tube 40 is press fit inthe shaft 12. It has been determined that locating the capsule shapedtransponder 36 in the shaft away from the hossel end of the shaft is thepreferred placement.

The capsule transponder 36 is shown in FIG. 3 adjacent the pliable tube40. The capsule transponder is an off the shelf transponder Model No.2500 available from Texas Instruments. It is, as an example, atransponder that is sealed in a thermal set epoxy and then sealed in aglass tube. In one embodiment the glass tube and transponder are 3.8 mmin diameter and 23.0 mm long, and weighs 0.02 grams. The sensingdistance of this transponder 36 is 12 to 18 inches. The pliable tube 40can be a silicone rubber sleeve that adds a measure of shock resistanceto protect the transponder 36 from impact shocks.

The capsule transponder 36 is capable of storing sixteen alphanumericcharacters that can be either names directly inputted, or a code that iscross-referenced to a lookup table containing names, addresses and otherdesired information.

In a preferred embodiment it is expected that the capsule transponder 36will be inserted in the shaft of a golf club and held in place by thefriction between the interior shaft surface and the outer wall ofpliable tube 40. It is also expected that the tube 40 could beadhesively or mechanically anchored in the interior of the shaft. It isalso contemplated that the capsule transponder 36 could be epoxied orotherwise adhesively or mechanically fixed in a location inside theshaft 12.

FIG. 4 shows a pictorial representation of a programming station 41 thatis used to program either a wedge transponder 26 or capsule transponder36 which has been mounted or inserted in a golf club or other object. Inthis figure an input device 42 capable of sending a coded signal to thetransponder anchored to the golf club is shown. The input device 42 willemit the necessary code that will be sensed by, received by, and codedinto the transponder or multiple transponders on the golf club. Theinput device, the scanner, is also a product available from TexasInstruments. The input/output device will be connected to a centralprocessing unit such as the computer 44, which is a general-purposecomputer. I/O (input/output) is managed through a monitor 46, a keyboard50 and a mouse, not shown-all of which is well known in the recordmanagement industry. Also well know is the use of a data base program inthe computer. Such a data base would be referenced with the serialnumber either preassigned to the chip or subsequently coded into thechip of the capsule transponder 36 or wedge transponder 26. The database program would incorporate at least identification information thatwould allow tracking of the club when the club is proximate a datareader. Types of information that can be stored in the database arenames, addresses, and phone numbers of the owners; and dates ofmanufacture and sale of the clubs. In addition, the database could alsocontain information on the specifics of the object as well as specificsabout where the golf club is currently, where it has been in the past,and whether or not the transponder has been modified, changed orotherwise tampered with. Other information could, of course, beincorporated in the database. It is expected that there are many database or record keeping software products available that can index areference number with data, and track, modify, update, and otherwiseinterface in a business sense with the information transponded by thetransponders of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a golf bag 52 containing a set of golf clubs, one shown asitem 10. In this embodiment, at least one of the clubs, such as club 10is provided with a capsule transponder 36 or wedge transponder 26. Inthis depiction the golf clubs are adjacent a signal triggering andsignal sensing station 54 including a zone equipped to receive signalssent out by the transponder or transmitters in the golf clubs. Thesignal triggering and sensing station is shown in a particular verticalcabinet depiction. However, it could be made to conform to any ofnumerous shapes, sizes or deployments to appropriately fit into a givenenvironment. For instance, it may be desirable to mount the sensing uniton a golf cart, near a tee box, or at the golf club staging area at thebag drop. These mounting and placement configurations are just some ofmany contemplated by the inventor.

A handgun is shown in FIG. 6. This is illustrative of the scope of theinvention showing how the wedge transducer 60 can be incorporated in thegrip 62 of the handgun 56. In this example the wedge transponder 60 willbe formed in place, cast or inserted into, or adhesively affixed to theinterior of the pistol grip 62.

The invention is contemplated as being especially adaptable to golfclubs and handguns, but not limited to these sporting goods. Otherobjects such as, rifles, shotguns, snow skis, tennis racquets, fishingequipment, power and non-powered tools, etc. are contemplated as beingarticles that could benefit from the use of the transponders. Given thelimited range of the transponders disclosed in the preferred embodiment,it should be apparent that this invention would not be well suited inthe tracking of automobiles, trucks, boats and the like. Devices such asthose used to track stolen vehicles are specifically designed to addresscar and truck location detection. These systems are believed toincorporate transponders or transmitters that are much more powerful andhave much greater range than the subject invention. Long-rangetransponders would not be necessary and would be detrimental to theperformance of this invention. Long range transmissions would causeconfusion, conflicting information and inconsistent information.However, the component parts of automobiles, such as radios, engines,fenders, doors and the like, may benefit from being tagged according tothis invention.

An example of one scheme of the utilization of the invention would be asfollows. The golf club manufacturer installs the capsule transponder 36,the so-called “smart chip,” in the shaft of the club. A second wedgetransponder 24 could be installed in the head of the club, or anycombination of the two can be used. When the transponders 24 or 36 arepassed within three to eighteen inches of the signal triggering and/orsensing station 54, the transponders would be activated in order totransmit the information that is programmed into them. Only authorizedsuppliers, dealers, golf pro shops and the like will be authorized toprogram the transmitter with the owners name, address, or otherappropriate information. It is expected that the outside of the clubhead has a club serial number stamped, electro-etched or laser marked onthe head of the club. This will help in preventing tampering with theserial number. A club that has a serial number ground off willimmediately be suspected as being a stolen club. It would be expectedthat golf courses, clubs and resorts would require players to registertheir clubs at the clubhouse before playing. This would uncover thestolen clubs immediately. Even if the stolen clubs were not alwaysdiscovered, the potential deterrent function would make people havingstolen clubs consider the risk being caught.

Once an authorized supplier programs the transponder at his programmingstation, this being considered a first programming station, subsequentprogramming, for instance at a golf pro shop when the ultimate owner isidentified, the transponder could be programmed with the owners name,address or other appropriate information not necessarily programmed atthe first programming station. This subsequent programming would be doneat a second, third, fourth or whatever subsequent programming station asis used to program information into the transmitter/transponder. It isexpected that the outside of the club head has a club serial numberstamped, electro-etched or laser marked on the head of the club. Thiswill help in preventing tampering with the serial number. A club thathas a serial number ground off will immediately be suspected as being astolen club. It would be expected that golf courses, clubs and resortswould require players to register their clubs at the clubhouse beforeplaying. This would uncover the stolen clubs immediately. Even if thestolen clubs were not always discovered, the potential deterrentfunction would make people having stolen clubs consider the risk beingcaught.

Another convenient place to locate the scanner/reader would be on thegolf cart, because many of the better courses require the use of carts.The information can then be sent via radio communication to theclubhouse.

Whether the scanner is on the cart, in the bag drop area or on the teesat golf courses the scanner will sense the club serial numbers andtransmit the numbers to the clubhouse computer. The computer will thencompare the serial numbers to a hot sheet of stolen clubs provided bylocal law enforcement, the manufactures, or the club, etc. Of course,when a stolen club is identified it flags the clubhouse personnel toinform local law enforcement, or take other appropriate action.

An alternative scheme would track closely with the above, however theserial number would be a permanent number encoded in the transducer ortransducers one time. From that point on whenever a change in ownershipor other change in the club status was made the club would be scannedand the data screen related to the particular identifying number wouldbe updated. Of course, appropriate security checks would be in place tomake sure that the updating operation was legitimate.

In an alternative embodiment, a transponder could be located in apersonal watercraft, such as a jet ski or boat. When the user enters astate park or lake, the transponder reader would pick up the signal fromthe personal watercraft when the vehicle is stopped to pay the usagefee. This would provide park personnel the ability to determineinstantly whether or not a personal watercraft was stolen, as well asmonitor the traffic flow into the lake or park.

It should be pointed out that much of the disclosure above is directedto golf clubs and to the irons in particular. Of course, as far as golfclubs are concerned “woods,” putters, special drivers and the like areall candidates for the use of the transponders. Likewise, so are golfbags. As stated above, the golf club application is only one of many.Items that need to have the ability to transmit or transpond a signal along distance, on the order of more than one or two meters are notcontemplated as being of the type of item for which this invention isdesigned to apply. Nor is it intended to be applicable to transmitterand transponder-equipped systems that do not require constant orrepeatable signal generation. For instance, the use of detectors ingrocery stores, retail shops such as bookstores and the like, do notneed a system that will tag an item for the life of the item. Nor dothey need systems that can be updated with ownership changes or ownerlocation information. Tracking a golf club as it passes from tee to teeor a shotgun at a skeet range that passes from stand location tolocation is not something that is currently contemplated by theanti-theft devices used in grocery stores and in retail stores.

In summary, among other inventions provided herein, one inventionprovided herein is an outside registration apparatus that includes thearticle, a golf club for instance, and a programmable transponder,programmed with identification that is attached to the article, indiciasuch as a multi-digit serial number or alphabet letter. The apparatuscan have a cavity, such as the cavity back of a golf club, interiordimension similar to the exterior dimension of the transponder, or inthe case of the cavity backed golf club the interior dimension will belarger than the exterior dimension of the transponder.

The preferred embodiment of the invention does not only provide securityfor golf clubs. It can also provide a large amount of other usefulinformation to pro golf shops, golf club manufactures and golf courses.Such information could include a time and date stamp of where a golferplayed, what clubs he used, and how often he plays. By tracking a set ofclubs during play, the flow of play can be monitored and controlled. Inaddition, the use of this device could provide a wide selection ofinformation that could be used for marketing purposes such as estimatinggolf club wear and tear, course selection, and average playing time.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changesand modifications may be made without departing from the invention inits broader aspects, and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims isto cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the spiritand scope of the invention and the following claims.

1. A cavity back golf club registration and tracking system comprising:the golf club provided with a head portion having a recessed areadefined by a perimeter; a non-metallic onlay inside the recessed area; aprogrammable transponder located between the onlay and the surface ofthe recessed area, the transponder programmed with identificationindicia, the transponder transmitting a signal corresponding to theidentification indicia; a plurality of sensing stations, each locatedproximate a tee on a golf course, the sensing stations being atransmitted signal reader wherein each of the sensing stationscommunicates with a computer physically located at the golf course, thesignal corresponding to the identification indicia transmitted by thetransponder is read at each sensing station and the identificationindicia is entered into the computer and the progression of the golfclub from one sensing station to a second sensing station is recordedand capable of being displayed on the computer at the golf course; andwhereby each of the sensing stations may record the presence of aparticular golf club having specific identification indicia at aspecific sensing station at a specific tee on the golf course.